Gasping For Breath

Dyspnoea or shortness of breath is not a disease condition but a common symptom seen in a majority of medical conditions, mostly pertaining to respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

This is a respiratory sensation of difficulty in breathing or a consciousness of breathing. It is a symptom, which is experienced or felt by the patient but not expressed clearly.

Causes of Dyspnoea

When the ventilation in the lungs is not adequate and the body is not able to meet body’s oxygen demand (may be due to decreased oxygen perfusion or increased body demand for oxygen), such condition often leads to dyspnoea or breathing difficulty situation. Dyspnoea or difficulty in breathing can be caused by a variety of reasons.

Pulmonary causes include conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, pneumothorax and pleural effusion etc.

Cardiac causes include conditions such as cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, aortic dissection, pericarditis, valvular heart disease and pulmonary edema etc.

Vascular causes include anaemia, leukaemia, thrombocytopenia and hemophilia.

Several other conditions such as myaesthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression and panic attacks may also lead to dyspnoea.

Degrees of Dyspnoea

Grade I is dyspnoea upon heavy exercise only. Dyspnoea only with climbing or running is Grade II.

Grade III is dyspnoea with mild exertion. Dyspnoea even while walking is Grade IV and dyspnoea even in sitting position is Grade V.

Diagnosis

Certain diagnostic tests assist in finding out the underlying reason for appearance of this disabling symptom. These include echocardiogram, chest x-ray, complete blood test, thryoid levels in blood, spirometry, pulse oximetry, pulmonary function test (PFT) and treadmill test.

Treatment

Dyspnoea is usually treated successfully by medicines, after evaluating the exact cause behind it. But if necessary, surgical correction may also help in reducing dyspnoea or air hunger.